Poster used to advertise the 2004
Whitstable Museum tribute to Peter Cushing

From: Tony Battock - collage of images
from the Peter Cushing 2004 Whitstable Tribute (the bottom left hand circular
image is of Joyce Broughton and Tony at the opening day of the tribute)

From: Simon Flynn - a series of photos
that Simon took while at the Peter Cushing 2004 Whitstable Tribute (Simon is
seen signing the guest book in the first photo, the second photo is a bust of
Peter Cushing, the third photo is a shot of some of Peter Cushing's personal
items, the fourth photo is of a model that Peter Cushing built, the fifth photo
is a close up of Peter Cushing in the MGM short "Your Hidden Master",
the sixth photo is a shot of photos of Peter Cushing from the exhibition, and
the seventh shot is a rare candid shot of Peter Cushing that Simon took when he
met him)

THE PETER CUSHING EXHIBITION

To mark the tenth anniversary of
Peter Cushing's passing this year (2004), the Museum at Whitstable expanded
their exhibition on him. The exhibition, which ran from July 14, 2004 until
November 6, was called 'Peter Cushing, The Man Behind the Screen'. The Peter
Cushing exhibition was originally opened by the Whitstable Museum in 1995 and
was similar in size to the recent exhibition - it lasted about four months
and then it was reduced to about one-fourth of its original size. However, there
always remained a little corner of the Museum which was dedicated to Peter
Cushing.

The original poster of the 1995
exhibition was of Cushing from 'The Flesh and the Fiends'. For the new 2004
exhibition, they went for a different look - it was Peter running out of the sea
in shorts, taken on Whitstable beach.

Amongst the many interesting
memorabilia on display were some costumes worn by Peter Cushing (including the
bloodstained laboratory coat from 'The Curse of Frankenstein'). There were also
many letters written by Peter and written to him as well. Other items were rare
'on the set' photos, his hand painted scarves, model miniature theatres that
Peter made by hand, many of his original watercolour paintings, his 'This is
Your Life' book, film posters, his makeup bag (that he used all throughout his
career), and an impressive bust (no, I'm not talking about the many photos of
the Hammer glamour ladies!) but an incredible head and shoulders sculpture. On
the way out there was a book that you could write your comments in. I noticed
that many people had come to the exhibit from all over the country and some
overseas visitors as well.

They also published a booklet
which is still available from the Museum for two pounds. It is called 'Peter
Cushing's Whitstable: An Illustrated Tour'. It is an interesting booklet
complete with a map of Whitstable and 21 places to stop 'where Peter used to
visit on his many walks around the sea side town'. It starts at number 1 which
is the Museum and it goes past his local news agents, his house, then along the
beach, Cushing's View, then through the harbour past many shops and then
halfway you can stop off at the 'Tudor Tearooms' for some lunch. Then set off up
the high street past the 'Pirie and Cavender' bookshop where Peter did many a
signing session. A little way on to the 'St. Alphege' church a small church in
Seasalter where Helen's headstone was until Peter's death (it has now been
removed and both names are now on it - the new location is more private than the
great man was himself). The route takes you back into town, past an antique shop
and Herbert's Cycles and then back to the Museum, where the journey began. I
haven't done the trail myself, but I do intend to. There is also a little
biography on Peter and a chronology of important dates. It comes complete with
photos and I recommend getting it. It maybe ten years, but Peter still lives in
his beloved Whitstable.